CCCQ Revisited and Shopping in 1843

This week's block is Block 15, the Oakleaf Pinwheel.

If you would like a weekly email for the block you can add your name to the list.

The pattern is at Two Bits Patches.  The original blog post is here and the link to other blogs is here.


I have been going through one of my old newspapers, looking for advertisements for dress making materials.  This newspaper is the American Sentinel and Mercantile Advertiser, July 1843, and published in Philadelphia.  The most prolific advertiser is T. Sharpless & Son, 22 South Second St.  Mr Townsend Sharpless had a very impressive store.

You could buy all manner of objects at T. Sharpless & Son - double width woolen plaids in blue and black for ladies' cloaks; a handsome assortment of new styled silk shawls; fancy colored Tabby Velvets; white Marseilles vestings and light black Beaver hats.

But the advertisement that surpasses the rest is from the Franklin Clothing Store at 30 Market St. for Men's Bathing Dresses.

I wonder if they were a best seller?

Fabric Dating Sleuthing

I received two old blocks in the mail this week.  The pattern is tulip basket, Barbara Brackman 734.

One of the scraps of fabric in the second block had lettering.  I thought there was a chance of someone recognising this print and therefore getting a date. I posted a photo in the Facebook group, Quilts - Vintage and Antique.

The result was remarkable.  My letters were deciphered as Grant and Wilson.  Ulysses S. Grant became the President of the United States in 1873 and his Vice President was Henry Wilson.  The fabric is most likely a campaign fund raiser.

Fourth Corner Molly even had her own photos of this fabric in a block.  Grant's campaign slogan was 'Let Us Have Peace' which you can also see in this print. 

So my Tulip Baskets blocks are up to 140 years old.  Pretty impressive. I wonder if the quiltmaker was a fan of President Grant or if she was using up what she had at hand.


This week's block is Block 2 by Elizabeth Cowan.

The pattern can be found at Two Bits Patches.

Photos to inspire you are at the Chester Criswell Quilt Pinterest board.

And the original posts are here and here.

Week 3 Block 24

Alice Richmond's Oak Leaf is this week's block.

Block 24 is the oak leaf pattern.  While the majority of the blocks in the Chester Criswell Quilt are unique, oak leaf is found in many quilts.

If you don't have the pattern yet you can download it from the Two Bits Patches website.

(Psst - you don't have to make any blocks.  If you download the e-book  'Round is the Ring'  you can enjoy the stories and quilt block photos without lifting a needle.)

You will find photos of this block pinned to the Chester Criswell Quilt Pinterest board.  If you would like to share a photo you can reply to this email and attach a copy of your work or you can post it to the Two Bits Patches Facebook page.

The original blog posts are here:

Alice's Oak Leaf
Photos of finished blocks

Michelle at Buttontree Lane has been using the CCCQ Revisited to get some more of her blocks finished.  Michelle shared last week's block on the Facebook page,  how do you like her fabric choices?  I love them!

Twin Tulips from CCCQ Revisited

This week's block is Number 14, Twin Tulips made by Mary Wilson.

Mary Wilson was one of Jane Wilson's daughters and was 16 when she made her block.  This block is part of The Second Year of patterns; next week's block will be one of The Third Year patterns. 

I've decided to discount the featured block pattern each week.  If you go to the website you will find Block 14 at a special price for the week.


You will find photos of this block pinned to the Chester Criswell Quilt Pinterest board.
If you would like to share a photo of your Block 14, old or new, you can post it to the Two Bits Patches Facebook page.

The original blog posts are here:

Block 14 Mary Wilson
Photos of finished blocks


How are your New Year's resolutions going?  I like to pick a word for the year but I'm easy on myself.  Many people choose to better themselves by dieting or finishing UFOs or being more of anything.  I'm accepting of myself - I know there is plenty of room for improvement but I would rather enjoy what I am rather than working at being something I'm not.  So my word(s) for 2016 are ...